Letters to the editor: As long as it takes

The fact that protecting Utah's rural economy is bringing attention to myself, apparently to the displeasure of Ms. Houskeeper, Mr. Miller and Ms. Tanner proves the point that those of us who don't rely on government grants, philanthropic donations, or blood and sweat from taxpayers for our existence, also need a voice. Perhaps we have finally found one.

Those of us who produce things for consumption, from anyone of 300 million fellow Americans actually like the "go to (guys) and gal (s)" terminology. In our world "the go to guys and gals" are those we are happy to rely on for their performance and reliability.

Despite Ms. Houskeeper's contentions regarding my so called "criminality," "outlandishness" and "self absorption", I remain committed to the values of entrepreneurship, responsibility for my employees, and multiple use on public lands.

I gotta hand to it Ms. Houskeeper; her personal attacks on me and my motives suggest that's what I've been doing regarding questions I have about the Nine Mile Coalition, who, apparently within minutes of signing an accord for providing more resources and protections for the cultural artifacts in the canyon, went bleating to their "international" echo chamber of environmentalists and media that the agreements, signed by some half dozen other entities, was a failure.

My questions have never assailed those involved, only their apparent inability to consider what shutting down the canyon (their obvious goal) would have on our community.

If multiple use is truly acceptable to you and your groups, I again challenge you to publicly acknowledge this so that the God given resource, which is Nine Mile Canyon, with all of its aspects can be enjoyed and utilized.

The practices of industry in the canyon should be embraced for their environmentally friendly policies. Let's be realistic; with the current state of things in the world, with energy shortages being such a huge problem, and only growing by the minute, the natural gas (the cleanest known form of viable energy) in the area, will be developed. Make no mistake about it.

That being said, let me ask the coalition a question. Who would you rather have developing the area? A company like Bill Barrett Corporation who has a proven track record with their five star environmental policy, or take a risk with someone who just wants the gas as economically as possible?

If protecting the rock art, with true multiple use as the objective, is truly the goal, what better partner than BBC? What better opportunity to preserve and protect the rock art for generations, not just while the current coalition members are here and certainly beyond what Mother Nature would have.

As badly as you want industry out, others want it in. I personally vow to stay in this fight as long as it takes. It seems to me like a good place to generate a viable and realistic solution to accomplish the goal of protecting the rock art and developing the natural resources. Remember, you may not always have the luxury of such an accommodating administration in Washington D.C.